Thanksgiving on arrival into this world

Faith in God as creator should favour a thankfulness for every child that is born whether to believers or not.
In 1971, the Archbishops' Commission on Christian Doctrine, chaired by Bishop Ian Ramsey of Durham with an impressively strong team of members theologically, reported briefly on Baptism, Thanksgiving and Blessing and recommended concerning a Service of Thanksgiving and Blessing that:
(i) A new Service of Thanksgiving for the birth of a child, containing a prayer of blessing, be prepared by the Liturgical Commission of the Church of England for general use throughout the Church.
(ii) Such a Service of Thanksgiving be available to all who ask for it, and bearing our proposals in mind, is not to be regarded as a substitute for Holy Baptism" (Ramsey, 1971, p. 6).
The Commission had in mind allowing parents to delay having their children baptized, but being thoroughly welcomed to a service of thanksgiving. The service of Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child in The Alternative Service Book 1980 was a step in the right direction. The newly authorised Common Worship 'Thanksgiving for the Gift of a Child' is most suitable for widespread use.
Distinguishing the thanksgiving service sharply from the baptism service enables the former to focus on God as Creator and the latter on God as Redeemer. It is being argued that staging these services over a period of time may be helpful to those on the fringe of the church and outsiders generally. Understanding creation may prove an easier first stage for gradually gaining a full grasp of the Christian revelation. 'Ideas of God as Creator are natural to the human species and a sense of dependence upon God has often been associated with dependence upon the raw materials of the world and the seasons controlling them '(Davies, Watkins, Winter, et al, 1991, p.287).
Thus, parents on the birth of their child may readily appreciate this to be an event worthy of an occasion for celebration and giving thanks to God. They may welcome the idea of their local parish church sharing in their joy and praying for God's blessing on them and their child along with relatives and friends.
Interesting ideas for consideration are given of practices in the United States:
The Episcopal Church has published a framework for 'The Preparation of Parents and Godparents for the Baptism of Infants and Young Children'. This aims for pastoral contact during pregnancy, including use of 'The Blessing of Parents at the Beginning of Pregnancy'. Parents and godparents ('at least one a member of the local community') meet with a catechist and others during the pregnancy and then after the birth up to the baptism. Emphasis is placed on balanced Christian formation as well as the potential of 'prayer and worship in the home'. The birth is celebrated with a service of 'Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child'. Under special circumstances the deferral of the child's baptism is allowed 'until the child is old enough to go through the catechumenate'. In such cases, 'The parents should receive ongoing support in the formation of the child' (General Synod, 1995, p.79).